Stilt



My 19, 1942. i J. BANISTIIRV v 7 2,283,595

STILT Filed Jan. 27, 1940 i I Patented May 19, 1942 UNETED STILT 5 Claims.

This invention relates to stilts, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind to be used by' children in play.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a stilt having a single contacting surface so constructed to provide free tilting movement forward and backward and also from side to side.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stilt of this kind having a ground contacting surface rounded in a direction lengthwise thereof and also rounded transversely to provide means whereby the stilt when in use may be readily rocked in a plurality of directions.

The invention consist in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved stilts whereby certain important advantages are attained and the article rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a stilt constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the stilt as disclosed in Figure 1 unapplied;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure l with the associated foot removed;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through a marginal portion of the top or sole plate;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation illustrating a stilt constructed in accordance with another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawing, my improved stilt is formed of metal and comprises an elongated straight top or sole plate I. This plate I is of a length and width to readily accommodate the foot F of a person. The rear end of the plate I is formed with an upstanding heel or stop lug 2 with which is adapted to abut the heel 3 of the footwear worn by the user.

The front or forward end portion of the plate I is continued to provide a downwardly and in wardly inclinedleg 4 which terminates in an inwardly directed elongated foot plate 5.

The leg 4 isof such length and is disposed on such an angle with respect to the top or sole plate I to position the forward end of the foot. plate 5 slightly inwardly of the front or .toe end of the plate I. The foot plate 5 is also of a length to terminate a distance inwardly from the rear or heel-end of the plate I and, of course, the spacing of the foot plate 5 with respect to the plate I depends upon the length of the leg 4.

In the present embodiment of my invention the plate I, leg 4 and foot plate 5 are of substantially the same width and the side or longitudinal margins thereof are defined by the suitably directed and substantially perpendicularly related flanges 6 whereby is provided a stilt structure of a rigid type v The foot plate 5 from one end to the other i disposed on a curvature of predetermined radius to provide a contacting surface a, to allow for rocking contact of the foot plate 5 upon the ground or kindred surface'in a direction lengthwise of the top or sole plate I. The contacting surface a of this foot plate 5 is also curved transversely on a desired radius to allow said contacting surface a to also have rocking contact with the ground or kindred surface in a direction transversely 'of the top or sole plate I. By having the foot plate 5, or more particularly the contacting surface thereof, formed as hereinbefore set forth the child using the stilts is enabled to effect a delicate balance whereby the enjoyment of the stilts by the child is greatly increased.

The flanges 6 along the longitudinal side margins of the top or sole plate I are provided at the heel portion and at the forward portion thereof with the longitudinally disposed slots I, the upper edges of which are formed to provide the depending penetrating members or teeth 8. These flanges 6 above the slots I are provided with the additional slots 9. These slots I and 9 together with the penetrating members or teeth 8 provide means whereby the holding straps l0 may be properly engaged over the toe portion of the foot and the instep portion of the foot to effectively maintain the stilt in applied position.

- In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawing, the stilt comprises a solid body ll of Wood or other desired material of predetermined dimensions and which is formed to provide a flat top surface I2 upon which is to be placed the foot A of the user. This upper portion of the body II has disposed transversely therethrough below but closely adjacent to the top surface l2 the transversely directed slots l4 through which are threaded the holding straps I5. These slots [4 are so positioned that one of the straps [5 can be readily placed over the: toe portion of the foot A and the second strap l5 disposed across the instep of the foot.

The lower or contacting surface of the body H, as particularly illustrated in Figure 5, is disposed on a predetermined curvature in a direction lengthwise of the top surface l2 and, as illustrated in Figure 6, is also disposed transversely on a predetermined curvature. This particular formation of the bottom face of the body I I provides a contacting surface I) which will readily allow forward and rearward rocking of the body H as well as a transverse rocking, thus enabling the user to effect a delicate balance.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that stilts constructed inaccord- J ance with my invention are particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which they may be assembled and used, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A stilt comprising an elongated rigid member, and means for securing the member to the foot of a person, said member having a bottom surface curved in a direction lengthwise of the member and also curved at all points therealong in a direction transversely thereof, said bottom surface having direct contact with the ground or the like, the curvatures of the bottom surface permitting the stilt to have rocking movement lengthwise and transversely thereof.

2. A stilt comprising a sole plate, a leg depending from the toe portion of the sole plate, a rearwardly disposed foot carried by the lower portion of the leg, said sole plate, leg and foot constituting a rigid unitary structure, the outer surface of said foot being curved longitudinally and also transversely to allow forward and backward rocking and lateral rocking of the stilt, and means associated with the sole plate for holding the stilt to the foot of a person.

3. A stilt comprising a sole plate, a leg depending from the toe portion of the sole plate, a rearwardly disposed foot carried by the lower portion of the leg, the outer surface of said foot being curved longitudinally and also transversely to allow forward and backward rocking and lateral rocking of the stilt, and means associated with the sole plate for holding the stilt to the foot of a person, the side marginal portions of the sole plate, leg and foot being defined by angularly related flanges to provide means to hold the stilt against flexing.

4. A stilt comprising a sole plate, a leg depending from the toe portion of the sole plate, a rearwardly disposed foot carried by the lower portion of the leg, said sole plate, leg'and foot constituting a rigid unitary structure, the outer surface of said foot being curved longitudinally and also transversely to allow forward and backward rocking and lateral rocking of the stilt, means associated with the sole plate for holding the stilt to the foot of a person, and an upstanding heel stop carried by the rear portion of the sole plate.

5. A stilt comprising an elongated rigid member having a top surface fiat from end to end on which the foot of a person is to be positioned, a lug carried by the member at the rear end of said flat top surface and extending thereabove, said lug permitting free contact therewith of the heel portion of the foot upon the flat top surface, means carried by said rigid member for securing the same to the foot with said foot in close contact with the flat top surface of the member, the bottom surface of the member being curved in a direction lengthwise thereof and also curved at all points therealong in a direction transversely thereof.

JAMES G. BANISTER. 

